Chapter 30: Makandal's Meeting
The air in the mountain was still, heavy with the mist of early twilight. Nestled deep in the dark ridges of the north, behind winding cliffs and roaring waterfalls, stood the fortress of the Zobop clan, a towering ancient structure built right in the middle of everything. Inside, dark candles burned with eerie green flames, casting shadows that danced along obsidian walls etched with glowing white drawing symbols.
Makandal Zobop, the current leader of the clan, sat on a tall blackened throne carved with serpent heads on each sides of the arm rests. His long dreadlocks were tied with golden threads mix wooden beads, and his red robe shimmered with talismans and bones also some golden threads desgin all over the robe. Around him stood his seven generals, each a force of chaos to be reckoned with, they all have great magic powers, and loyalty to their leader.
Foufina, the fierce woman clad in crimson and iron spikes, pulled a chair and sat down arms and leg crossed. Her eyes burned with fierce judgment. She is Garlen's master.
To her left stood Tibèk, a bald, hulking man with cracked skin that oozed green mist. Next to him is Boswa, an albino man whose long fingernails scratched softly against his grimoire. Then came Ravena, a woman dressed in shadowy feathers and ink-stained robes. Tonton Zaza, the oldest of the group, leaned on a twisted cane made of human spine bones. And then there was Kalinò, a short but deadly quiet man who never blinked and never really speaks to anyone.
The seventh general, Afre, leaned casually against a pillar, tossing a knife in the air with a smirk on his face.
Foufina slammed her hand on the round bone-carved table. "My disciple Garlen reported that the Galipots failed again."
Makandal tapped a clawed finger against the skull armrest of his throne. "Again? and there was no point for you to slam the table that hard."
She nodded. "Yes and my bad sir.
" She winked. "Worse than last time. They were ambushed. It seems the boy has awakened some of the Veve's potential. Not only that, he's also building his own little army. One of the Loa's family have even made contact with him."
Kalinò raised an eyebrow like he wanted to say something. That was about as expressive as he got.
Tibèk growled. "If this boy's already syncing with the medallion, it's only a matter of time before the Midnight King's curse fully activates and who knows what will he do once free ."
Tonton Zaza snorted. "Better than my arthritis acting up again. Maybe we can use the boy's power to keep me limber."
Boswa chuckled while scribbling symbols in the air. "He's not wrong. Maybe we should let him finish what Zed started."
Makandal's eyes narrowed. "Silence!! We are not Zed, I don't care what the Midnight King desires."
"Spoken like a man trying not to get possessed," Ravena murmured under her breath.
Makandal shot her a glare. "Watch your tongue, Ravena. You still owe me twenty souls."
[The twenty souls Makandal mentioned, Its a quest given to each generals, to bring him 50 souls every year, because his power get stronger when consumes those souls .]
A soft knock echoed against the chamber door. A pale messenger entered, visibly shaking.
"Uh… s-sorry to interrupt, my lords and lady, but… Grant Zaka is here to see you my lord. "
The room fell deathly quiet, there is a sour mood on everyone's face
"Grant Zaka?" Tibèk muttered. "The Loa prince himself here to see our leader? Must be something very important he has talk about to traveled so far to come and see you."
He smirked
Makandal raised an eyebrow. "How polite of him, I didn't expect a visit from the Zaka Leader."
Foufina snarled. "Let me deal with him."
She smiled evilly
Makandal raised his hand. "No! There is no need, messenger! Return to prince Zaka and let him know I'm in an important meeting, we'll meet once done, In the meantime Give him a tour. Let him marvel at our… hospitality."
The messenger nodded. "Y-yes sir."
Makandal watched him leave before turning to his generals. "Afre!."
Afre caught his knife mid-air. "Yes sir?"
"I'm assigning you to retrieve the medallion, do any means necessary to acquire it, failure is not an option."
"Alone?" he asked.
"You'll have assistance if you ask for it."
Afre grinned. "Don't need it. But I'll take a cloak and a bottle of your best rum, if its that's alright with you sir."
Tonton Zaza muttered, "You're gonna need more than rum where you're going."
Makandal ignored the banter. "I want the medallion. As For The boy! Keep him alive. I want to see how far he'll go."
As the meeting ended, the generals filtered out one by one.
Behind the scenes, Afre whispered to himself. "The medallion's power…is not for Makandal. Not for the Zobop either. It's mine."
He smiled.
Meanwhile, Grant Zaka walked through the settlement, hands behind his back as the messenger nervously pointed out the altars, forges, and magical breeding pits used to craft and constructions.
Grant stopped in front of a large statue of Zed Zobop.
"He looks just like the rumors," he said. "Regal And, Mad."
The messenger nodded. "Uh, yes sir. That's our founder. Went missing after the… dimensional expedition."
Grant rubbed his chin. "What do you all think happened to him?"
"No one really knows sir. Some say he became one with the spirit world. Others say he was devoured by his own creation."
Grant chuckled. "Sounds about right."
He turned to the messenger. "Tell your leader I'll wait. But not for long, as I have other matters to attend."
"Will do sir, But he will right with you as soon as he's with the meeting."
The messenger replied
Back in Makandal's throne room, he stood alone, gazing at the glowing symbols on the wall.
"The medallion calls to more than just the boy," he whispered. "Let's see how strong this new generation truly is."